Hello Debaters,

Hi, my name is Phillip Bilenko, and like many of you, I love to debate. I am a Novice debater at the Academy of Information Technology and Engineering and am excited to be your judge. I rank speaker scores based on your overall penmanship (Clear speaking, loudly, slow but not too slow), sportsmanship, and creativity throughout each and single round. Especially how you treat your opponents after the match is over. However, for rounds, I prioritize these key items to decide which side:

1. Signposting: Signposting is a very important thing in debate and it allows me to know what you will be talking about next. In addition, it allows for you to keep a clear consistent speech throughout the round, and I will be monitoring this throughout your speech.
2. POIs and POCs: Both sides MUST be eager to take POIs and POCs! This will show me that you are engaged and care about the topic at hand, and it also shows me that you stay relevant to your case. Furthermore, these must benefit YOUR case and not your opponents. The point of these two things is to clarify and explain what your opponent is saying, NOT HELP THEM! I will take notice of any and every POI that is dropped throughout your speeches, as well as any and every dropped contention!
3. Weighing and Clashing: Both sides throughout this speech should constantly prove to me why your side should win! I expect that you understand what this aspect of the debate is prior to the round. In addition, I should see this in your refutations, as well as final speeches.
4. Creativity: Be creative! Your goal throughout your speeches (especially in your introduction) should be to grab my attention and curiosity. Please try your best to stray away from reading directly from your screen! Try to be creative and elaborate on major points! Do your best to be coherent, and don't be afraid to make jokes. Be respectful to your opponents, myself, and your partner!

Please read my paradigm before your debate. If you have any questions about how much time each speaker has, please ask me before the start of the first GOV/PROP speech. I will also be providing minor feedback to each debater after the final speeches. Any additional feedback will be recorded here on Tabroom, as well as why I chose the winning side.

Both sides should remain respectful to each other throughout the entire day. Your goal is to convince me why your side of this debate matters! With that being said, I wish you all a good debate and good luck!

- Phillip Bilenko, Academy of Information Technology and Engineering (AITE)

Hi, I'm Nathaniel Cohen

I love debating, and I did it all 3 years in middle school. I am on the Barlow Debate Team, and I am excited to be your judge.

Please do not use offensive language, offensive words, or say offensive things about your opponents.

Let's have a fun round!

Hi, my name is Tejas and I love debate. I decide whether to vote for Opp or Gov using a few requirements. Signpost as much as possible and try to not read directly off your notes when speaking. I care about quality more than quantity, so don’t speak fast, speak a little slow and clear. Be very respectful when answering or giving POI/POC. I expect to hear clash between the 2 cases. My main factor is the weighing mechanism. USE IT APPROPRIATELY!! I look forward to being your judge and a great debate.

Extra Speaker Points:

If you rap your intro, +1 speaker points

If you do a cool dance move at the end of your speech, +0.5 points

If you bring me food, +0.5 speaker points

Hello debaters!

My name is Anton Lando, and I am new to debate judging! I work with the AITE Middle School Debate Team (I am a student at Stamford's AITE High School.) I am also a Novice debater with the Connecticut Debate Association (CDA.) When I am judging, I make sure to write every point down in my flow sheet and pay key attention to all details in the speech. I award points based on whether the argument fulfills the criteria requested by the debate rubric (example: points given for refutations, points docked for giving new points in the rebuttal speeches.)

What I want to see when you are speaking:

1. SIGNPOSTING!! Outline the order of what you will talk about in your speech, such as "I shall begin by laying out our framework and then go through our three contentions." If you do not signpost in your speeches, I will take points off.
2. Body language! Make eye contact with myself and your opponents, use hand movements to liven up your speech, and stand up straight. If you use poor body language, I will take some points off and leave comments in Tabroom.
3. Explain, explain, explain! Be sure to explain why YOUR CASE is more important than your opponents' cases in the rebuttal speech! Also, be sure to tell me why your points are true BY PROVIDING EVIDENCE!! That makes an argument stronger, and will award you more speaker points!
4. Be sure to examine the areas of clash, POIs asked/answered, and refutations in the rebuttal speech, and explain why you win them as well!
5. Be cordial! Please shake your opponents' hands and my hand following the round. Congratulate everyone, and do not gloat over winning.
6. Keep in accordance with the rules of debate! ABSOLUTELY NO foul language, ad hominem attacks on the other team, bullying, homophobic/racist/transphobic language, or hate speech! I will automatically take points off for these arguments. Also, do not bring up points in the final speeches or interrupt the other team's speeches! Remember to do as Tabroom says: "Be excellent to each other!"
7. Do not speak fast! Speak at a slow to medium pace. Speaking fast will also remove some points from your results.
8. CLASH BETWEEN BOTH SIDES! I expect to hear clashes that are strong and show why YOUR side wins.
9. Be creative in your speeches! I love hearing some humor or creative language in your speeches, as it will gain you speaker points.
10. Don't be nervous during the speech! Relax, breathe, and remember that you can do it! Encourage yourself, and use self-affirmation techniques to boost your confidence!

I look forward to see everyone debate and just want to wish everyone Good Luck in their debate rounds! You got this!

-Anton Lando, AITE Middle School Debate Team

Hello, I am Charles Rabinowitz of Joel Barlow High School. I am volunteering as a judge from Helen Keller Middle School, where I used to attend and where I started debating. I am currently a novice high school debater in the Connecticut Debate Association (CDA).

Here are three tips that will make my life easier as a judge and will benefit you as a debater.

1.) Be kind and cordial to your opponents, obviously! Shake hands and congratulate them. Remain engaged and do not go on your phone for anything other than time-keeping.

2.) Speak confidently, but don’t go too fast. If you speak really fast, it will be hard to keep up, and I may miss the strengths of your arguments!

3.) One thing that will make my life easier—and yours too—is SIGNPOSTING!!! Tell me what you’re about to say before you say it (e.g. “I shall state our definitions,” “I shall state our contentions,” “I shall clash with our opponents’ contentions,” “I shall rebuild our case,” etc). It’s hard to keep track of and understand what you’re arguing when you don’t signpost, which is why it can negatively affect your case. So, please, always signpost!

I am looking forward to being your judge, and I will try my best to help you improve as debaters. Good luck!